Railway-siding buffer.



PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903. T. L. MoKBEN; v RAILWAYSIDING BUFFER.

APBLI'QATIOH FILED FEB. 16. 1903.

- ili'o 77265)".

N0 MODEL.

Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS L. MOKEEN, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

RA ILWAY-SIDING BUFFER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,858, dated September 1, 1903.

Application filed February 16, 1903. Serial No. 143,495. (No model.)

T0 on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS L. MoKEEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Easton, in the county of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railway-Siding Buffers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a friction-bufier for railway sidings and track ends.

The object of the invention is to provide a buffer of the maximum capacity which is of simple, strong, and compact construction.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bufier embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section thereof in line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the upper portion of the backing timber or structure for the yielding or cushioned buffer-head, and B represents the box or shell which incloses the bufler-springs and friction device. The spring-box may be of any suitable form giving the necessary strength and is firmly secured to the backing structure by bolts 2) or in any other suitable manner. The box shown is of rectangular shape in cross-section and has an open outer end.

0 represents the buffer-head, which is in.

the form of a cap and incloses the outer open end of the spring-box. The buffer-head is provided with lateral lugs d, in which are secured retaining-bolts D, which pass through and slide in holes in lugs cl, projecting from the sides of the spring-box. guides for the buifer-head in its longitudinal movements and limit the outward movement of the head.

E represents a wedge-block, which in the construction shown is secured to the forward end of a stationary stem or rod f, projecting forwardly from the central portion of the rear wall of the spring-box.

G represents a transverse follower or plate, which is arranged to slide longitudinally in the spring-box and is provided with a central hole, through which the stem f passes. The outward movement of the sliding plate is limited by the wedge=block and its inward The bolts act as.

movement by shoulders g, projecting inwardly from the side walls of the spring-box. H represents coil-springs surrounding the stem f between the rear end of the springbox and sliding follower G.

J represents two friction-blocks which are arranged longitudinally adjacent to each other in the spring-box in front of the sliding follower G and are provided on their inner sides with oppositely-inclined faces which are in frictional contact with the inclined faces of the wedge-block. Between the friction-blocks J and the sides of the spring-box are arranged two sets of spring-plates or flat springs K,which abut at their inner and outer ends against the sliding follower G and front of the buffer-head. The spring-plates are preferably bowed inwardly, and the central portion of the inner spring-plate of each set bears against the adjacent friction-block. A wear or friction plate 70 is preferably interposed between each set of spring-plates and the adjacent side wall of the spring-box. These plates have extended fiat surfaces in frictional contact with the sides of the springbox and prevent the spring-plates from cutting or wearing the spring-box. When the buffer-head is moved inwardly or rearwardly by the impact of a car or other object striking the same, the friction-blocks, spring-plates, and wear-plates are carried inwardly with it and force the sliding follower G inwardly against the action of the coiled springs. In their inward movement the friction-blocks are spread or forced apart by the wedge-block and compress or place the spring-plates under tension, so that the force of the impact is taken by both the coil-springs and springplates. When the pressure on the bufferhead is relieved, the coil-springs return the follower, wedge blocks, spring plates, and

- wear-plates to their normal position.

laterally by said wedge when said buffer-head is moved inwardly, spring-plates arranged between said friotion-blocks and the sides of said spring-box and which are strained by the bnfier-head and follower and movable with the same, and a longitudinally-compressible coil spring or springs acting against said follower, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 13th day of February, 1903.

THOMAS L. MCKEEN.

Witnesses:

J. HOMER REED, WM. G. BENDER. 

